POLICE found an indecent film of local children hidden away when they raided a house in Padiham, a jury was told.

The 10-minute video, entitled Night Sight and stashed away underneath carpet, showed youngsters indulging in sexual activity and had been taken in the Memorial Park not far away.

Within three weeks, Dean Marie, 36, who had been present at the house when officers turned up with a search warrant, was found in the park with a torch, gloves and night sight.

Marie, of Colne Road, Burnley, denies making an indecent photo of a child between June 22 and August 4, 2001.

Together with his wife Joanna Marie, 34, of Burnley Road, Padiham, he also pleads not guilty to possessing an indecent photo of a child on August 6, 2001. Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, told the court on August 6, 2001, officers with a search warrant went to a house in Burnley Road, Padiham. Both defendants were present.

The search warrant was about something that was nothing to do with the indecency charges but those inquiries came to nothing.

During the search, an officer found a camcorder and what looked like a cassette film from the camera called Night Sight.

It was underneath carpet behind a cabinet and was obviously concealed.

The cassette was played on the camera, was found to be indecent and was seized and taken away.

Mr Lamberty said the film was just over ten minutes long.

It was taken by somebody in the Memorial Park, which was not far from the house.

The film had been taken by a person who had clearly been trying to conceal themselves.

It was shot through a leafy atmosphere and showed young people indulging in sexual activity.

The prosecutor said film taken during the evening of June 23, 2001, showed a boy and girl lying on concrete in the park.

The boy was committing a sex act on the girl and the girl then got up and could be seen naked on the lower part of her body. On the evening of June 29, at about 8pm, the recording showed a girl of 11 committing a sex act on a boy. She then did the same thing to a second boy.

In July, a boy and girl having full sex had been filmed.

On August 3 at about 8pm film had been shot of a girl of 15 having intercourse with a boy.

Mr Lamberty said when the film and camera were taken away and examined by an expert he concluded it was "highly probable," Night Sight had been made by that camera. Within three weeks of the house search, on August 25, a police officer was called to the Memorial Park and went to speak to a group of youths. He then went to the bottom part of the park and saw Dean Marie.

Marie had a torch, a night sight and a pair of gloves.

He told the officer he was out for a walk.

The prosecutor told the jury the camcorder recovered in the house search was on a table.

It belonged to Mrs Marie's father. He had lent it to her in March 2001 and had not received it back at any time before it was seized.

Dean Marie attended Burnley police station by appointment, was formerly arrested and was interviewed. He chose to say nothing.

In October, Mrs Marie went through the same procedure and also said nothing.

Mr Lamberty added during a second interview with police, an officer had held up the camcorder rather carelessly.

Dean Marie reprimanded the officer and referred to "my equipment."

The Maries are representing themselves in the trial.

(Proceeding)